The Roles and Activities of Medical Simulation Technicians in Poland: A Preliminary Exploratory Study

Introduction: The role of medical simulation technicians varies across countries and institutions. Technicians ensure simulators function according to the designed training scenarios and manage their physiological responses, such as breathing and circulation. They are responsible for ongoing maintenance, repairs, and software installation or updates. Additionally, they manage audio-video systems, including recording simulation sessions, organizing live broadcasts, and preparing materials for post-training review and analysis. These responsibilities suggest that technicians contribute to the technical and organizational foundations of simulation-based education. Methods: This exploratory study used a predominantly quantitative survey design with an additional qualitative component. An open-ended question allowed respondents to freely express their opinions and reflections regarding the professional responsibilities of medical simulation technicians. This mixed-methods approach enabled both statistical analysis and deeper insight into the technicians' perspectives. Results: Thirty-five simulation technicians participated in the study. Most respondents were men (71.43%), while women accounted for 28.57%. Respondents reported performing a broad range of technical, organizational, and selected educational support tasks. Conclusions: This exploratory study suggests that medical simulation technicians in Poland perform a broad range of technical, organizational, and selected educational support tasks. The findings also indicate local variability in role configuration and unclear boundaries between technical and educational responsibilities. Given the limited sample size and purposive recruitment strategy, the results should be interpreted cautiously.